Britain's honorary consul in western Jamaica has been murdered in the resort of Montego Bay, the Foreign Office confirmed tonight.

John Terry, 65, who was described by the foreign secretary, David Miliband, as a "key member of our team", was found outside his home in Mount Carey St James on Wednesday. He had a cord tied round his neck and appeared to have been beaten, local officials said.

Mr Terry had lived in Jamaica since 1967 and represented the British high commission on the island's western end. He was originally from New Zealand.

The Foreign Office said officials were in close touch with Jamaican police.

Details of the attack were reported on the Go-Jamaica news website, which, quoting police, said bloodstains had been found at the premises. Michael Garlick, a deputy superintendent, said early investigations indicated there had been no forced entry and that a note had been left on Mr Terry's bed. He did not divulge details.

The website said the death had shocked people working in local businesses. Mr Terry had worked in tourism for 30 years and was the maintenance manager of the Half Moon hotel in Montego Bay. He was made an MBE in 1992.

In a statement, Miliband said: "I, and all his colleagues, were deeply saddened to hear of the death of John Terry, the British honorary consul in Montego Bay in Jamaica. John Terry was a key member of our team in Jamaica and had been an honorary consul for 13 years, but with many years of other service to the British community in Jamaica before then.

"Honorary consuls like John play a valuable role in our work overseas and this was especially true of John, who helped many, many British visitors to Jamaica over the years. My thoughts are with his wife and children. He will be greatly missed too by colleagues and all those who knew him."

Honorary consuls are volunteers, paid a small honorarium, typically around £2,000 a year, for representing British nationals in difficulties, acting as a UK link with local industries and representing embassies and high commissions at parties and public functions.

With more than 1,600 killings last year, Jamaica has one of the highest murder rates in the world.